Stationary stack assembly with remotely controlled access

ABSTRACT

A stationary stack assembly comprising a plurality of suitably spaced stacks, which is so designed that the storage position of an article to be stored or taken out is indicated by operating keys on a keyboard in accordance with a code number representative of the storage position information or by means of a position card on which the storage position is previously memorized and the range of activity of an attendant in the stack assembly is restricted by the qualification accorded to the attendant and further the date and time when the article was stored or taken out, the attendant who handled the article and the storage position the article are recorded automatically.

United States Patent [151 3,648,241 Naito et al. 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54]STATIONARY STACK ASSEMBLY 2,811,583 /1957 Timms et al ..179/2 R I R LYCONTROLLED 3,076,566 2/1963 Dennis ..2l4/ 16.4 ACCESS 3,304,416 2/1967Wolf .340/147 A X 3,326,325 6/1967 Bradley... ..l86/1 [72] Inventors:Han-lchiro Naito, Akishima-shi; Tsuneo ,4 1, 70 l/ 1970 Isserstedt 18/12 X Yamaguchi, Tokyo, both of Japan 3,420,336 l/ 1969 slm lan ..l86/l[73] Assignee: Elecompack Company Limited, Shinjukuprimary Examine,[)0na|d Yusko Tokyo, Japan Attorney-Richard L. Cannaday 22 F1 d: M 19691 at 57] ABSTRACT [2]] App! 808,930 A stationary stack assemblycomprising a plurality of suitably spaced stacks, which is so designedthat the storage position of Foreign Application Priority Data anarticle to be stored or taken out is indicated by operating keys on akeyboard in accordance with a code number Mar. 22, Japan representativeofthe storage p i information or y means of a position card on which thestorage position is previously [52] U.S.Cl ..340/147 R, 340/147 A,181/1, memorized and the range of activity of an attendant in the 194/4235/61-7 stack assembly is restricted by the qualification accorded toInt. Cl. the attendant and further the date and time when the articleField 01 Search 147 was stored or taken out, the attendant who handledthe article 186/1; 21/ 7; 2 l-7; 1 4/4 and the storage position thearticle are recorded automatically. [56] References Cited 12 Claims,Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,661,682 12/1953 Saunders..340/147 A PAIENTEUMAR vmz 3.648.241

SHEET DZUF 23 [@IKLSEIEEEEIE QQQ'QQQ INVENTORS Han-lch/ro Na/fo TsuneoYamaguch/ Zia/476% ATTORNEY PATENTEBHAR 7 I972 SHEET 030F 23 INVENTORSHan-[ch/ro Iva/f0 Tsuneo Yamagudw' BY fi ht 76mg PATENTEDMAR H9723.648.241

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INVENTORS Han-lch/ro Na/fo Tsuneo Yamaguch/ ATTORNEY;

PAIENTEDMR 7 i972 SHEEI OSUF 23 INVENTORS Han-lch/ro Na/fo Yamaguch/ BYA ORNEY PATENTEDMAR 1 I972 SHEET USUF 23 INVENTORS Han-lch/iro Na/toTsar/e0 Yamaguch/ ATTORNEY PATENTEU R 7 I972 SHEET MN 23 INVENTORSHan-[ch/ro Na/fo M m M C; A 0 m6 Y/ m w T? Y. B

PATENTEDMAR 7 1972 3,648,241

Tsunea Yamaguch/ BY 7% K4 ATTORNEY PAIENTEUMAR 7 I972 SHEET 180F 23 wkmmw 0 INVENTORS Han-Ich/ro Na/fo Tsunea Yamaguch/ BY 7 CW ATTORNEY

1. A stationary stack assembly having a plurality of equally spacedstationary stacks, said stationary stack assembly being so designed thatthe position of each aisle formed between adjacent stacks and morespecific article storage positions are indicated by making use ofsignals of numerical codes representative of said aisle position andsaid said storage positions respectively, and comprising (1) a set ofnumerical keys from 0 to 9, (2) means for converting a plurality ofsignals created by said keys into signals indicating said aisle positionand said more specific positions, (3) storage position indicating meansfor indicating a desired storage position in accordance with saidsignals indicating the aisle position and the more specific position,(4) a lockable closure member for covering each of said specific storagepositions, (5) means for unlocking the lock of said closure member atsaid specific storage position in response to said specific positionsignal. (6) means for receiving a qualification card having at least onequalification information signal recorded thereon to limit the operationof said stationary stack assembly, (7) means for reading the informationrecorded on said qualification card and transmitting the same as atleast one qualification signal, and (8) means for receiving saidqualification signal and also said aisle position signal and said morespecific position signals and comparing said qualification signal withsaid aisle position signal and said more specific position signals andtransmitting said position signals to said storage position indicatingmeans and said unlocking means only upon coincidence of said positionsignals with said qualification signal.
 2. A stationary stack assemblyas defined in claim 1, in which said storage position indicating meansis provided with automatic restoring means by which it is actuated andthe position signal converting means is restored after the signals fromsaid keys have been converted into position signals by said positionsignal converting means, thereby providing for introduction of the nextcode signals.
 3. A stationary stack assembly as defined in claim 1,which further comprises means for recording an aisle position and morespecific positions corresponding to said aisle position signal and saidmore specific position signals in response to said signals.
 4. Astationary stack assembly as defined in claim 2, which further comprisesmeans for recording an aisle position and more specific positionscorresponding to said aisle position signal and said more specificposition signals in response to said signals.
 5. A stationary stackassembly as defined in claim 1, which further comprises means forrecording an aisle position and more specific positions corresponding tosaid aisle position signal and said more specific position signals inresponse to said signals and for recording said qualification signal orsignals.
 6. A stationary stack assembly as defined in claim 2, whichfurther comprises means for recording an aisle position and morespecific positions corresponding to said aisle position signal and saidmore specific position signals in response to said signals and forrecording said qualification signal or signals.
 7. A stationary stackassembly having a plurality of equally spaced stationary stacks andcomprising (1) means for receiving a position card having positioninformation signals such as an aisle position and more specificpositions recorded thereon, (2) means for reading the informationrecorded on said position card and transmitting the same as storageposition signals, (3) means for receiving such signals and indicating adesired storage position according to them, (4) a lockable closuremember for covering each of said specific storage positions, (5) meansfor unlocking the lock of said closure member at said specific storageposition in response to said specific position signal, (6) means forreceiving a qualification card having at least one qualificationinformation signal recorded thereon to limit the operation of saidstationary stack assembly, (7) means for reading the informationrecorded on said qualification card and transmitting the same as atleast one qualification signal, and (8) means for receiving saidqualification signal and also said aisle position signal and said morespecific position signals and comparing said qualification signal withsaid aisle position signal and said more specific position signals andtransmitting said position signals to said storage indicating means andsaid unlocking means only upon coincidence of said position signals withsaid qualification signal.
 8. A stationary stack assembly as defined inclaim 7, in which said storage position indicating means is providedwith automatic restoring means by which it is actuated and said positionreading means is restored after the signals from said position card havebeen converted into position signals by said position reading means,thereby providing for introduction of the next position information. 9.A stationary stack assembly as defined in claim 7, which furthercomprises means for recording an aisle position and more specificpositions corresponding to said aisle position signal and said morespecific position signals in response to said signals.
 10. A stationarystack assembly as defined in claim 8, which further comprises means forrecording an aisle position and more specific positions corresponding tosaid aisle position signal and said more specific position signals inresponse to said signals.
 11. A stationary stack assembly as defined inclaim 7, which further comprises means for recording an aisle positionand more specific positions corresponding to said aisle position signaland said more specific position signals in response to said signals andfor recording said qualification signal or signals.
 12. A stationarystack assembly as defined in claim 8, which further comprises means forrecording an aisle position and more specific positions corresponding tosaid aisle position signal and said more specific position signals inresponse to said signals and for recording said qualification signal orsignals.